Method for transporting/storing wafer and wafer carrier

ABSTRACT

A wafer transporting/storing method includes steps of accommodating one wafer in each flat casing, and transporting/storing the casing. A wafer carrier includes a flat casing, one side surface of which is opened as a wafer entrance/exit, a cover for closing the wafer entrance/exit, and a cover urging device, disposed between the casing and the cover, for urging the cover in a closed direction. The flat casing has a space for accommodating one wafer. In the carrier, at both sides of intermediate portions of the upper and lower surfaces of the space are end portions inclined in the directions from each intermediate portion toward both ends of each of the upper and lower surfaces so that an interval between the upper and lower surfaces of the space becomes narrower toward both ends of the space.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a method for transporting/storing a wafer, and more particularly to a method for supplying or transporting to manufacturing processes a wafer, namely, a thin plate material, consisting of semiconductor, used as a substrate on which an IC is mounted. The present invention also relates to a transporting material, namely, a wafer carrier to be used to supply or transport the wafer to the manufacturing processes or to store the wafer.

The wafer is thin and thus breakable or chippable. The IC is affected in the quality and performance thereof when it is deformed excessively or an internal stress is applied thereto excessively. It is necessary to protect the surface of the wafer from becoming dusty or soiled. If the surface of the wafer is dusty or soiled or has slight damage thereto, a circuit having a fine construction cannot be formed.

In this respect, it is necessary to transport and store the wafer with much care so as to void the above-described disadvantages.

A known wafer carrier has the following construction. That is, it has a plurality of shelves approximately C-shaped in plan view to hold the periphery of circular wafers each inserted into the space of each C-shaped shelf. Normally, one carrier accommodating 25 wafers is collectively supplied to a necessary manufacturing process.

It is difficult for the conventional wafer carrier to handle wafers separately.

That is, when the specifications of IC chips mounted on the wafer and performances demanded therefor are different from each other, required processing contents of wafers and processing procedures thereof are different from each other. The wafer carrier handling a large number of wafers is incapable of supplying a right wafer to a right processing line or a right processing device. Therefore, wafers are removed from the wafer carrier or inserted thereinto individually.

It takes time and labor to remove a required wafer from the wafer carrier and return a processed wafer thereto in each process. In addition, a device for removing the wafer from the wafer carrier and a device for returning it thereto are complicated in construction. Further, if a wafer is removed from the wrong shelf of the wafer carrier or a processed wafer is returned to the wrong shelf of the wafer carrier and removed therefrom to perform a subsequent processing, a defective product is manufactured. Such a problem does not occur if wafers to be processed in the same manner are accommodated by one wafer carrier. It is very inefficient and uneconomical to accommodate several wafers in the wafer carrier capable of accommodating many more wafers, for example, 25 wafers.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

It is an object of the present invention to provide a method for transporting/storing wafers without causing the problems of the conventional method, and for transporting them to manufacturing processes at a high speed.

It is another object of the present invention to provide a wafer carrier convenient for separately handling wafers depending on kind.

In accomplishing this and other objects, according to one aspect of the present invention, there is provided a wafer transporting/storing method comprising the steps of: accommodating one wafer in each flat casing; and transporting/storing the casing.

According to another aspect of the present invention, there is provided a wafer transporting/storing method comprising the steps of: accommodating each of a plurality of wafers in each of a plurality of flat casings; piling the casings one on the other; and transporting/storing the casings.

According to a further aspect of the present invention, there is provided a wafer carrier comprising: a flat casing having a space for accommodating one wafer, one side surface of which is opened as a wafer entrance/exit; a cover for closing the wafer entrance/exit; and a cover urging means, disposed between the casing and the cover, for urging the cover in a closed direction, wherein both sides of intermediate portions of the upper and lower surfaces of the space are inclined in the directions from each intermediate portion toward both ends of each of the upper and lower surfaces so that an interval between the upper and lower surfaces of the space becomes narrower toward both ends of the space.

According to the above-described method, one wafer is accommodated in each of the flat casings. Consequently, the wafer is not directly handled, but the casing accommodating the wafer is handled according to the processing content and processing order required for each wafer. Therefore, it is not likely that the thin wafer will be broken or chipped in transporting and storing the wafer. In addition, the wafer will not be deformed excessively, and no excessive internal stress is applied thereto while it is being handled. Thus, the wafer can be transported at a high speed in transporting it to a manufacturing process or a storing place.

When the wafer is accommodated in the wafer carrier, the right and left ends thereof may be pressed against the inclined surface formed in the casing and the forward and backward ends thereof may be sandwiched between the cover of the casing and the wafer urging means. Therefore, the wafer can be stably accommodated in the wafer carrier. The cover urging means for urging the cover of the casing in the closed direction is provided. Therefore, when the wafer is inserted into the wafer carrier, the cover is automatically closed. The wafer urging means for urging the wafer toward the entrance/exit of the casing may be provided in the backward portion of the space formed in the casing. In this case, when the cover of the entrance/exit is opened against the force of the cover urging means, the end of the wafer is discharged from the entrance/exit. Thus, the wafer can be removed from the casing easily.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

These and other objects and features of the present invention will become clear from the following description taken in conjunction with the preferred embodiments thereof with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing a wafer carrier according to an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 2 is an enlarged sectional view showing a principal portion of a wafer accommodated in the wafer carrier;

FIG. 3 is a partial side elevation showing a method for mounting the cover of the wafer carrier on a wafer carrier casing;

FIG. 4 is a perspective view showing a method for transporting/storing wafers according to an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 5A is a perspective view showing a method for transporting/storing wafers according to another embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 5B is a side elevation showing a method for transporting/storing wafers according to still another embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 6A is a perspective view showing a method for transporting/storing wafers according to a further embodiment of the present invention; and

FIG. 6B is a side elevation showing a method for transporting/storing wafers according to a still further embodiment of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Before the description of the present invention proceeds, it is to be noted that like parts are designated by like reference numerals throughout the accompanying drawings.

Referring to FIGS. 1 and 2, a wafer carrier and a method for transporting/storing a wafer according to an embodiment of the present invention is described below.

FIG. 1 shows a wafer carrier 1 according to the embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 2 shows an enlarged view of the inside of the wafer carrier 1. The wafer carrier 1 has a flat casing 2 and a cover 3, which is pivotal to close a wafer entrance/exit 21, provided on one side of the casing 2. The casing 2 has therein a space 22 to accommodate one wafer 10. One side of the casing 2 is opened as the wafer entrance/exit 21. The vertical length (thickness) of the space 22 of the casing 2 is greater than that of the wafer 10 so that the leading end of a jig (not shown) can be easily inserted into the casing 2 and discharged therefrom when the jig puts the wafer 10 into the casing 2 and discharges it therefrom, respectively. Of an upper surface 23 of the inside of the casing 2 defining the space 22, an intermediate portion 23a which extends over approximately one third of the longitudinal length of the wafer entrance/exit 21 is horizontal. Opposing sides 23b of the upper surface 23 are inclined downward in the directions from the intermediate portion 23a toward respective opposing ends of the upper surface 23. Of a lower surface 24 of the inside of the casing 2 defining the space 22, an intermediate portion 24a occupying most of the longitudinal length of the wafer entrance/exit 21 is horizontal and end portions 24b in the vicinity of the opposing ends of the lower surface 24 incline upwardly in the directions from the intermediate portion 24a toward respective opposite ends of the lower surface 24. Consequently, the interval between the upper surface 23 of the space 22 and the lower surface 24 thereof becomes narrower in the directions from the central portion of the space 22 toward both ends thereof. The upper surface 23 may be inclined downward and the lower surface 24 may be inclined upward from the central portion thereof toward the ends thereof. But in this case, the thickness of the casing 2 becomes greater or the thickness of the space 22 becomes smaller. Therefore, preferably, only the portions in the vicinity of the opposing ends of the space 22 are inclined. Referring to FIG. 3, the wafer carrier 1 has an urging member 4, disposed between the casing 2 and the cover 3, for urging the cover 3 in the closed direction, namely, in the clockwise direction as shown by an arrow. The urging member 4 according to this embodiment consists of a helical spring provided on the rotational axis 31 of the cover 3, but it may have a different construction. When a driving pin 5 presses a pressing strip 32 provided on the rear end of the cover 3, the cover 3 is opened against the force of the urging member 4. Referring to FIG. 1, a wafer urging member 6 for urging the wafer 10 toward the wafer entrance/exit 21 is provided in a rear portion of the space 22 of the casing 2. The wafer urging member 6 consists of a bow-shaped leaf plate in this embodiment, but it may have a different construction. The casing 2 and the cover 3 are both made of plastics and the leaf plate is also made of plastics.

According to the wafer transporting method, a transporting means 7 such as a belt conveyor transports wafers 10, with each wafer carrier 1 accommodating one wafer 10, as shown in FIG. 4. The wafer carriers 1 are piled one on the other as shown in FIG. 4 so as to transport the wafer carriers 1 to a subsequent processing place with a high efficiency. In order to store the wafers 10, the wafer carriers 1, each accommodating one wafer 10, are piled one on the other. In order to transport/store the wafers 10, it is possible to fix the wafer carriers 1, each accommodating one wafer 10, onto the belt conveyor 7 with the wafer carriers 1 arranged on the belt 7 at regular intervals as shown in FIG. 5A, or it is possible to connect the wafer carriers 1 with each other at regular intervals by a tape 8 as shown in FIG. 6A. It is also possible to transport/store the wafers 10 with the wafer carriers 1 in a folded arrangement as shown in FIGS. 5B and 6B.

As apparent from the foregoing description, according to the method for transporting/storing wafers, wafer carriers are transported and stored with one wafer accommodated in each of the wafer carriers. The wafer is not directly placed or held but is placed on the transporting means or held via the wafer carrier when the wafer is transported, placed on the transporting means, removed from the transporting means, stored, placed in the storing place, or removed therefrom. Consequently, the wafer is not damaged. Thus, the wafer can be transported at a high speed.

The edges of the wafer accommodated in the wafer carrier are fixed lengthwise and widthwise by the inner surface of the casing. Therefore, the wafer can be stably accommodated in the wafer carrier and thus will not be damaged during the accommodation thereof.

Although the present invention has been fully described in connection with the preferred embodiments thereof with reference to the accompanying drawings, it is to be noted that various changes and modifications are apparent to those skilled in the art. Such changes and modifications are to be understood as included within the scope of the present invention as defined by the appended claims unless they depart therefrom. 

What is claimed is:
 1. A wafer carrier comprising:a flat casing having a single-wafer accommodating space defined therein, one side surface of said casing having an opening formed therein constituting a wafer entrance/exit; a cover movably mounted to said flat casing at said wafer entrance/exit for movement between a wafer entrance/exit closed position and a wafer entrance/exit open position; and a cover urging member, operably disposed between said casing and said cover, to urge said cover toward said wafer entrance/exit closed position; wherein said single-wafer accommodating space is bounded by upper and lower inner surfaces of said flat casing, said upper and lower inner surfaces having front and rear ends and opposing side ends; wherein said upper inner surface has a first flat intermediate portion spaced inwardly from said opposing side ends of said upper inner surface, and first and second side end portions respectively adjacent said opposing side ends of said upper inner surface; wherein said first and second side end portions of said upper inner surface are inclined relative to said first flat intermediate portion in respective directions outwardly away from said first flat intermediate portion and downwardly toward said lower inner surface; wherein said lower inner surface has a second flat intermediate portion spaced inwardly from said opposing side ends of said lower inner surface, and third and fourth side end portions respectively adjacent said opposing side ends of said lower inner surface; and wherein said third and fourth side end portions of said lower inner surface are inclined relative to said second flat intermediate portion in respective directions outwardly away from said second flat intermediate portion and upwardly toward said upper inner surface.
 2. A wafer carrier as recited in claim 1, further comprisinga pressing strip fixedly attached to said cover and extending in a plane other than a plane in which said cover lies.
 3. A wafer carrier as recited in claim 1, further comprisinga pressing strip fixedly attached to said cover and constituting a means for transmitting a movement of a driving pin of an actuating device into a movement of said cover between said wafer entrance/exit closed position and said wafer entrance/exit open position.
 4. A wafer carrier as recited in claim 1, further comprisinga wafer urging member mounted in said single-wafer accommodating space between said rear ends of said upper and lower inner surfaces.
 5. A wafer carrier as recited in claim 4, whereinsaid wafer urging member constitutes a means for pressing, when said cover is in said wafer entrance/exit closed position, a wafer accommodated in said single-wafer accommodation space into a fixed position.
 6. A wafer carrier as recited in claim 4, whereinsaid wafer urging member constitutes a means for pressing, when said cover is in said wafer entrance/exit closed position, a wafer accommodated in said single-wafer accommodation space into a fixed position in which opposing side edges of the wafer are pressed against said first and second side end portions of said upper inner surface and said third and fourth side end portions of said lower inner surface, and in which the wafer is sandwiched between said cover and said wafer urging member.
 7. A wafer carrier as recited in claim 1, whereineach of said first and second side end portions of said upper inner surface is a flat surface, such that corners are respectively defined between said first flat intermediate portion and said first and second side end portions; and each of said third and fourth side end portions of said lower inner surface is a flat surface, such that corners are respectively defined between said second flat intermediate portion and said third and fourth side end portions.
 8. A wafer carrier as recited in claim 1, whereinsaid cover is pivotably mounted to said flat casing.
 9. A wafer carrier as ,recited in claim 1, whereinsaid cover urging member comprises a helical spring operably interposed between said flat casing and said cover.
 10. A wafer carrier as recited in claim 1, further comprisinga pressing strip fixedly attached to said cover and constituting a means for transmitting a movement of a driving pin of an actuating device into a movement of said cover between said wafer entrance/exit closed position and said wafer entrance/exit open position; a wafer urging member mounted in said single-wafer accommodating space between said rear ends of said upper and lower inner surfaces; and wherein said wafer urging member constitutes a means for pressing, when said cover is in said wafer entrance/exit closed position, a wafer accommodated in said single-wafer accommodation space into a fixed position in which opposing side edges of the wafer are pressed against said first and second side end portions of said upper inner surface and said third and fourth side end portions of said lower inner surface, and in which the wafer is sandwiched between said cover and said wafer urging member. 